Everything You Can Meal Prep Ahead for Thanksgiving (Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Guide)

Preparing Thanksgiving dinner can feel overwhelming — roasting a large turkey and juggling a dozen side dishes in a single day is no small task. The secret to a stress-free holiday is simple: make-ahead Thanksgiving meal prep. By preparing certain dishes in advance, you’ll save time, reduce stress, and enjoy more moments with family and friends.

Below is your complete guide to what you can prep ahead for Thanksgiving and what’s best saved for Thanksgiving Day.

Prep the Turkey in Advance

You can’t roast the turkey ahead, but there’s plenty you can do before Thanksgiving:

• Wet brine or dry brine the turkey 1–3 days ahead for deeper flavor.

• Make compound butter up to a week ahead (or freeze for months) to rub under the skin before roasting.

• Prep aromatics (onions, herbs, citrus) and store them in the fridge.

Freeze Mashed Potatoes or Make a Mashed Potato Casserole

Mashed potatoes freeze beautifully thanks to full-fat dairy:

• Make your mashed potatoes as usual, then freeze in airtight bags or containers.

• Thaw 1–2 days before Thanksgiving and reheat on the stove, in the oven, or in a slow cooker.

• If they seem watery, add sour cream or cream cheese to restore creaminess.

Or try a make-ahead mashed potato casserole, which can be assembled and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking.

Make Turkey Gravy Ahead of Time

Yes, you can make gravy before roasting the turkey:

• Use turkey pieces to make drippings and stock ahead.

• Freeze the gravy, then thaw the night before Thanksgiving.

• Whisk it gently while reheating to smooth out any separation.

Cook the Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce is practically made for advance prep:

• Its high sugar content keeps it fresh in the fridge for days.

• It freezes perfectly with no texture changes.

• Make it on the stovetop or in the slow cooker.

  
  

Stuffing Prep: Bread, Stock, Nuts & More

Get stuffing components ready early:

• Bake and freeze bread or cornbread cubes.

• Make homemade stock weeks ahead and freeze it.

• Toast nuts and freeze them as well to preserve freshness.

Prep Your Green Bean Casserole

For green bean casserole or similar veggie sides:

• Pre-toast sliced almonds, breadcrumbs, or toppings and freeze.

• Assemble the casserole (without the crispy onions) up to 3 days ahead.

• Add the onion topping just before baking.

  
  

Roast & Freeze Pumpkin, Squash, or sweet potato purée

Chunks of these veggies don’t freeze well — but purées do:

• Roast, blend, and freeze purées for pies, soups, and side dishes.

• Thaw and reheat just like mashed potatoes.

• You can even freeze fully baked pies.

Keywords: pumpkin puree, make-ahead pies, Thanksgiving baking tipsGet Dinner Rolls Ready

Homemade rolls are easy to prep:

• Bake and freeze them, or freeze the dough unbaked.

• Bake from frozen for rolls that taste perfectly fresh.

Make Salad Dressing and Toppings

You can’t prep the salad — but you can prep everything else:

• Mix salad dressings in advance (add fresh herbs last-minute).

• Cut and freeze bread cubes for croutons.

• Toast or candy nuts ahead.

Freeze Pie Crust — or the Whole Pie

Pies are one of the best things to prep early:

• Freeze pie crust dough discs.

• Freeze rolled crusts directly in pie dishes.

• Freeze whole baked pies.

• Don’t forget to freeze streusel topping if your pie uses it.

  
  

Prep Cocktail Ingredients

Don’t overlook holiday drinks:

• Make simple syrup in advance.

• Infuse it with winter spices for seasonal cocktails.

• Add cinnamon sticks or cloves to bourbon or rum for a festive twist.

Final Thoughts

With a smart Thanksgiving make-ahead game plan, you can turn one of the busiest cooking days of the year into a relaxed and enjoyable experience. Prep these dishes ahead, free up your oven and your time, and savor every delicious moment of the holiday.